Restricted growth

Your child’s size and growth rate will be regularly assessed throughout their childhood. If your child’s growth rate is thought to be seriously reduced, treatment with human growth hormone may be suggested.

Treatment usually starts at around four or five years of age and continues until your child stops growing. A medication called somatropin is most often used. This is given as a single daily injection.

Side effects of somatropin are uncommon, although your child is likely to experience some temporary soreness, itchiness and redness at the site of the injection.

Feeding and speech problems

In children with Noonan syndrome, weak muscles in the mouth can sometimes cause speech and feeding problems. They may be referred to a speech therapist for help and support.

The speech therapist will help your child develop the muscles in their mouth and try to teach them how to use their muscles more effectively.

In particularly severe cases of poor feeding, your baby may need a feeding tube for a few months.

Undescended testicles

If you have a baby boy with an undescended testicle or testicles that don't descend naturally within a few months of birth, corrective surgery is usually recommended.

This is normally carried out before two years of age, because treating the problem early on should increase the chances of fertility being unaffected.

A surgical procedure known as an orchidopexy is the usual treatment for undescended testicles. It involves making a small cut in your child’s tummy or groin and moving the testicle(s) into the correct position.

Learning disabilities

If your child is diagnosed with a learning disability, it doesn't necessarily mean they can't be taught in a mainstream school. However, children with more severe disabilities may benefit from attending a specialist school.

To ensure your child gets the support they need, an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan may need to be drawn up. This is a type of care plan designed to meet the child’s health and educational requirements.